Belgium's golden generation saw its final chapter written in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Spain at the 2026 World Cup, as injuries to key players Thibaut Courtois and Youri Tielemans proved decisive. The match, played at Los Angeles Stadium, marked the likely tournament swansong for multiple members of Belgium's most talented cohort.
Injuries disrupt Belgium's plans before kickoff
Manager Rudi Garcia faced a selection crisis ahead of the match. Amadou Onana was already ruled out with a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained in the last-16 win over the USA, arriving at the stadium on crutches. Zeno Debast was omitted due to a disagreement between Belgium and Sporting over his fitness. Minutes before kickoff, Tielemans was removed from the teamsheet after suffering an injury during the warm-up.
Jérémy Doku returned to the lineup and looked lively, exploiting space between right-back Pedro Porro and winger Lamine Yamal. However, his proactiveness left him a step behind Porro when Spain attacked directly. After the hydration break, Porro prepared a cross, and moments later Fábian Ruiz scored to put Spain ahead.
Belgium fights back with De Ketelaere equalizer
Spain began dominating possession, but Belgium refused to become passengers. Charles De Ketelaere, who scored twice in the last 16, showed his improved movement after training with Romelu Lukaku. In the 39th minute, De Ketelaere fell as Aymeric Laporte slowed a throw-in. Two minutes later, Kevin De Bruyne threaded a pass to Timothy Castagne, whose cross found De Ketelaere diving to head home an equalizer—Belgium's first shot on target.
Belgium found success through Doku's dribbling, which opened space for Maxim De Cuyper and midfielders. A give-and-go between Doku and De Bruyne nearly produced a second goal, but a deflected attempt fell to De Cuyper, who failed to convert.
Veterans enter but old guard overrun
Garcia's side showed greater resolve than in previous tournaments, where they exited in the group stage in 2022 and the last 16 in Euro 2024. Leandro Trossard was substituted after an ineffective hour, replaced by Lukaku as De Ketelaere moved wide. Axel Witsel also came on, putting all four veterans of the 2014 World Cup squad on the pitch with 30 minutes remaining.
Belgium hustled to fill spaces, but gradually the old guard looked overrun. Courtois made a vital save but injured his left hip during a falling save before the second-half hydration break. After trying to resume, he was forced off in the 71st minute, leaving the field in tears as fans of both nations applauded. He was replaced by Senne Lammens.
De Bruyne hobbles, Courtois' heir falls short
De Bruyne also struggled with fitness, taking a seat after a speculative lob in the 80th minute. He received a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Ferran Torres, and Garcia used his final substitution to replace him before Spain could exploit his hobbles.
Ultimately, Courtois' replacement could not complete the job. Pau Cubarsí took a speculative shot from outside the box; Lammens failed to claim it, spilling the ball back into the box. Mikel Merino was quickest to react, poaching the loose ball and powering it above a kneeling Lammens to send Spain to their first semi-final since 2010.
While Courtois may return for the next World Cup as an elder statesman, this tournament will surely be the last for multiple members of Belgium's golden generation. The old guard fought valiantly, giving the European champions a stern test until the final whistle. Though the result does little to dispel suggestions of underperformance in past tournaments, Garcia's men did themselves proud.
